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NORWALK, Conn. — The state Department of Transportation will acquire the Maritime Aquarium's IMAX Theater to accommodate construction of a replacement for the Walk Bridge, but the DOT will not acquire the whole aquarium, according to the Hour.

The DOT told the Hour that the IMAX Theater will be acquired to make room for the construction project, which is expected to begin in 2019. The construction is also likely to require the relocation of some exhibits such as the seal exhibit, which has an outdoor portion, and other exhibits, according to the Hour. The DOT will likely need temporary access from behind the aquarium during the construction project.

The Maritime Aquarium is engaging in discussions with the DOT regarding compensation for the loss of the IMAX Theater, as well as changes that must be made to exhibits, the Hour reported. The city will retain ownership of the aquarium and theater property, and will take part in the negotiations, according to the Hour.

The construction project will replace the 120-year-old Walk Bridge over the Norwalk River, which Metro-North trains travel over, and has become stuck several times over the past few years, causing severe delays up and down the eastern corridor.